Oxidative stress causes mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the molecular mechanisms underlying the cause remain poorly elucidated. Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial membrane phospholipid required for oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biogenesis. The biological function of CL is determined by its acyl composition, which is dominated by linoleic acid in healthy metabolic tissues.

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Basic Research

Basic Research

Attending to alcohol-associated stimuli (alcohol cues) is assessed in humans using attentional bias procedures and (a) can interfere with other activities in heavy drinkers, (b) is related to the pattern and severity of problematic drinking, nd (c) is greater among current drinkers versus those in recovery. This evidence suggests that therapies that decrease attentional bias to alcohol cues might prevent cue-induced relapse. Conversely, it is also possible that effective therapies decrease attentional bias by facilitating abstinence.

Basic Research

Peripherally acting opioids are desirable for producing analgesia while eliminating debilitating central side effects, such as tolerance, dependence and addiction. However, peripheral opioid efficacy is significantly reduced in the absence of tissue inflammation. The long-term goal of this research project is to understand how inflammation enhances peripheral opioid efficacy. For example, in the absence of inflammation the delta opioid receptor (DOR) is less responsive to agonist activation.

Basic Research

This project aims to explore the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the development of psychotic symptoms. Cannabinoid exposure during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia, but this correlation is not causative. Thus, it is likely that people with a genetic predisposition to psychotic symptoms are more strongly affected by environmental risk factors.